Islanders prospect playing in premier summer tournament

The hockey season isn't over outside of the NHL. The Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup is getting ready to begin on Monday and one New York Islanders prospect will be participating.

The CHL's Memorial Cup is a matchup between the three champions from the three Canadian junior leagues and the team from the host city. Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League.

New York Islanders prospect playing in premier summer tournament

The 2022 version of the CHL features the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL champs), Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL champs), the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL champs), and the host team are the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Why does this matter from an Islanders perspective? Their 2020 fifth-round pick, William Dufour, will be taking part in the tournament with Saint John.

As you likely know by now, Dufour had an incredible 2021-22 season with 56 goals and 116 points. That was good enough to unseat Jonathan Huberdeau's record for most points in a single season for the Saint John Sea Dogs. A season that culminated in being named the QMJHL's MVP and getting first-team honors in the Quebec Major Junior League.

Saint John has its eyes firmly on the Memorial Cup. After crashing out of the QMJHL playoffs with a first-round exit, they fired their coach a month before this prestigious tournament. They think all they need is a new voice to lead their talented squad to deliver a massive trophy.

And Islanders prospect William Dufour should have a leading role in that push for the Memorial Cup.

It all starts today, Monday, June 20th with the Sea Dogs opening the tournament with a date against the OHL champs. Want to follow along? Here's the Sea Dogs' schedule through this tournament:

June 20: Sea Dogs vs. Hamilton
June 22: Sea Dogs vs. Edmonton
June 25: Sea Dogs vs. Shawinigan